The Avengers of the Uzumaki Family

Tobirama understood perfectly.

The fact that their granddaughter had reached the point where she had to be reborn from the dead must be an enormous crisis, and it was very likely that a single misstep could lead to the destruction of the entire village.

"Yes, Second Grandfather, this is what happened..."

Tsunade took a deep breath, and then recounted to Hashirama, Tobirama, and the others the series of events that had occurred in the village over the years, including the Nine-Tails' rampage more than a decade ago. She tried to explain everything in the most concise way possible. Of course, only when it came to Menma Uzumaki was Tsunade described things in more detail, unlike Danzo, who would always try to smear others from his own perspective and make statements that were extremely advantageous to himself.

Tsunade's personality dictates that she is a pragmatist. Whatever happens, whatever the truth she knows, she will say it. One is one, two is two. Tsunade will not hide anything, nor will she embellish anything.

Even though the matter involved her own mentor, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and Jiraiya, Tsunade still explained everything clearly and in detail.

Of course, the most important point is that the people standing in front of Tsunade at this moment are her most respected great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather, especially Tobirama, who is hailed as the most intelligent person in the history of the Senju of the Forest.

Trying to play tricks on Tobirama!?

Isn't that like an old man hanging himself—deliberately courting death?!

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, who were sitting nearby, were about to interrupt Tsunade's description when it came to some of the decisions made by their former Konoha F4, but they were shocked when they met Tobirama's extremely cold expression.

All the courage that had welled up in their hearts vanished into nothingness.

This was their most respected and feared mentor.

Trying to outsmart this teacher?!

Even if they were all tied together, they couldn't reach even a hair on their teacher's head.

Let's just be honest and straightforward.

They certainly don't want to be beaten up by their own teacher at their age. Don't think this is an exaggeration; based on their understanding of their teacher, this is something their teacher is definitely capable of doing.

Didn't you see? Tobirama's expression was becoming increasingly gloomy and dangerous as Tsunade described it.

Their aura had become extremely cold and fierce.

The temperature all around dropped sharply.

Let's leave aside the mess from before, but regarding Menma's situation, Tobirama truly couldn't stand how there could be such a stupid leader in the world.

The successors you've chosen are all incredibly stupid, and even if they do do something truly foolish, shouldn't you at least have the ability to handle things and clean up the mess?

But there isn't one.

They watched helplessly as the situation spiraled out of control.

Tobirama was really struggling to contain his anger.

At this moment, even Hashirama suppressed the smile on his face.

Hashirama may have a carefree personality, but that doesn't mean he doesn't understand anything.

Hashirama found Tsunade's descriptions and the crisis the village was currently facing unbelievable. They had such a strong hand; normally, the worst-case scenario would be winning by a smaller margin, right?

How could they play so badly?!

Losing is bad enough, but losing to the point of bankruptcy has absolutely nothing to do with luck; it's purely a sign that the card player has a huge mental defect!

Even Sakumo Hatake, who was sitting on one side, showed a very surprised expression. He originally thought that he was resurrected by Edo Tensei because of the Fourth Shinobi World War. His village was facing an attack from several major shinobi villages and was short of fighting power, so they needed to come out and help.

Sakumo was mentally prepared. After all, he was still a member of Konoha, and he was willing to fight for the village one more time.

But I really didn't expect things to turn out like this.

Sakumo couldn't help but glance at the Minato couple and Jiraiya, who had already lowered his head in despair. Finally, his gaze involuntarily settled on Hiruzen Sarutobi, whose expression was the most shocked and unable to accept the situation.

It should be said that among everyone present at this moment...

The most expressive one was the Third Hokage; his expression was absolutely astounding, completely speechless with shock.

He truly never expected that his momentary lapse of judgment back then—or rather, the decision he had always believed to be the right and most appropriate one—would have led him to this realization.

It's unbelievable that such a big mistake would happen today.

It was a mistake that was completely irreparable.

Defeat the Five Great Ninja Villages!?

They've collected a full seven—no, now it's very likely nine tailed beasts—and they're about to advance, attempting to annihilate Konoha!?

This is a joke, isn't it?

Isn't it a huge lie?

Hiruzen Sarutobi could not believe his ears.

Jiraiya, sitting to the side, wore a bitter expression and sighed softly, completely avoiding looking at Minato and Kushina on the other side.

Because, in the end...

All of this has led to the current situation.

Hiruzen Sarutobi and Jiraiya are primarily responsible.

The former is the shadow, and the latter is Minato's mentor.

It was the decisions made by these two that forced Minato's other child, after experiencing such a childhood, to resolutely choose to defect from the village and now even come to destroy Konoha.

What on earth is going on?!

Minato also looked helpless and embarrassed.

Minato was already mentally prepared after meeting Menma back then, but he really didn't expect that Menma could become this strong in just three years. The most important thing is the current problem between Konoha and Menma.

Minato is not only the Hokage of Konoha, but also Menma's father.

He has already wronged his child; does he really want to continue harming his child?

Even Minato, who loved the ninja village so much and died bearing the title of Kage, could not have done this.

Not to mention Kushina standing to the side.

It can be said that Kushina maintained a cold expression throughout Tsunade's recounting of those events.

As a mother, seeing her children fight each other to the death is undoubtedly heartbreaking. And all of this was caused by Konoha, or rather, by people like Hiruzen Sarutobi and Jiraiya. Kushina's decision not to turn on them on the spot was already a great show of respect for these former elders and for her husband, who was the Hokage.

"Monkey, Yan, Xiaochun, the three of you really did a great job!!!"

Tobirama suppressed his anger and looked at the three with an extremely cold expression. At this moment, this Second Hokage, who was known internally as the most ruthless and dangerous, really wanted to skin these three people alive, including the dead Danzo. Oh, and Hiruzen Sarutobi is also dead.

That's still an unforgivable crime!

The village's Nine-Tails Jinchuriki is treated like this?! And he's the Hokage's son, and he and his wife just sacrificed themselves for the village. Is this how the village treats the son of a hero? The most ridiculous thing is that they discriminate against him. How stupid and disgusting!

One stupid thing after another, and that's not all.

But they don't even have the ability to cover the worst-case scenario.

If you've really done something stupid, and you can cover for yourself and resolve the problems that come to light, then it's alright; at least it's not the worst-case scenario.

But what about now?

It's one thing for them to defect with the Nine-Tails, but after only three years, they're able to come with a huge force to destroy Konoha?

Tobirama truly felt he must have been blind to choose these bastards as his disciples to inherit the village's heavy responsibility.

The blatant rage was palpable.

"It is our incompetence and our foolishness that we ask for your forgiveness, Your Excellency."

Both Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu panicked and immediately knelt on one knee, not daring to even call out to their teacher, clearly indicating that their teacher was already furious.

Hiruzen Sarutobi also looked terrified and apologetic, and immediately knelt on one knee.

"Second Generation Lord, it's all my fault. It's my wrong decision back then that led to the current situation."

Hiruzen Sarutobi lowered his head and spoke with a bitter expression.

An unexpected turn of events.

Although he had some awareness when he saw Menma learn his identity and resolutely defect before his death, he could never have imagined that Menma could become so strong in just three years, killing Jiraiya, defeating Onoki, and defeating many other Jinchuriki.

Furthermore, by integrating the strengths of Kusagakure and Takigakure, they became a main force capable of defeating the five great ninja villages.

If Konoha is really going to be destroyed by Menma...

I am the culprit behind everything. It was my differential treatment of Menma and Naruto that led to this outcome, and my actions of letting rumors hurt Menma.

He himself was truly the greatest sinner in the destruction of the village.

"Minato, Kushina, I'm sorry for what I did to you."

Hiruzen Sarutobi also turned his head to look at Minato and Kushina on the other side, and bowed his head to apologize with a very sincere look of guilt.

If we must look at it from a comprehensive and truthful perspective...

Hiruzen Sarutobi was not a person with a "dark nature." If he were really the same type of politician as Danzo, or even a darker and more corrupt one, Tobirama, even if he were blind, would never have chosen Hiruzen as the Third Hokage.

Moreover, that "original author who doesn't understand Naruto at all" actually portrayed Hiruzen Sarutobi as a kind and gentle Hokage.

It's set up as a 'good person'.

Therefore, fundamentally speaking, Hiruzen Sarutobi was a wise and decisive 'ninja hero' in his early years, but became a dull, muddled, and indecisive old man in his middle and old age.

Being overly cautious and confused will inevitably lead one to avoid making the most correct choices and instead make the wrong ones in a series of events.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's treatment of Menma Uzumaki in this way was not an isolated incident; rather, it began with the earlier incident involving Sakumo Hatake. This Third Hokage had already entered a state of 'foolishness'.

After all, it's inexplicable that someone who was a powerful figure at the time, a kind of 'nuclear deterrent,' would be harmed by rumors and ultimately commit suicide.

Therefore, there is a saying that best describes Hiruzen Sarutobi.

The Third Hokage – Hiruzen Sarutobi.

They're either stupid or malicious.

To fully conform to the settings.

The Third Hokage can only be stupid, and stupid to the extreme. This would both fit the character's personality as defined in the original work and resolve most of the plot holes, although it would still seem a bit forced (after all, some things can't be described simply as stupid).

At least it's somewhat plausible.

This is a shadow that gets dumber, more incompetent, and more useless as it gets older.

"Lord Sandai, you..."

As someone who was essentially helped by Hiruzen Sarutobi to become the Fourth Hokage, and also Jiraiya's disciple, Minato naturally understood Hiruzen Sarutobi's character very well. He also knew that Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't really have any great malice towards his child, but ultimately the facts were still there.

Even if Minato's personality prevented him from saying anything harsh or sarcastic to Hiruzen Sarutobi, it was impossible for him to say anything completely against his conscience.